Open fire display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fire display apparatus comprises a structural base plate supported in a horizontal attitude within a clay, or other fire resistant bowl. The base plate supports an annular burner tube on a outer, upwardly facing surface, the burner tube providing outwardly directed plural burner apertures adapted for directing flames in a peripheral, horizontal, outward direction. The base plate also supports a burner fence positioned in spaced-apart relationship with the burner apertures and adapted for directing the flames in an upward direction away from the outer face of the base plate. A rim fence ring is positioned outward of the burner fence and is adapted for reflecting heat inwardly. Burner gas is supplied to the space between the bowl interior and the underside of the base plate. Here, gas valves and a flame sensor provide automated flame monitoring and control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to fire systems for displays and spectacles, and more particularly to a compact fire display system for public viewing.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0005] Johnson, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 422,743 describes a light fixture combined shade and holder design.

[0006] Johnson, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 440,346 describes a light fixture housing design.

[0007] Eagon, U.S. Pat. No. 876,444 describes an incandescent lamp, the combination of a reservoir mantle support and a mantle support removably mounted and in communication therewith whereby the gas is fed in opposite directions through the mantle support.

[0008] Lebwohl, U.S. Pat. No. 885,495 describes a lamp, means for supporting a chimney, comprising outwardly extending arms, and arranged to support the chimney so that its lower edge is substantially at the level of the lowest part where combustion takes place and of a diameter not less than twice the outside diameter of that part of the burner where combustion commences, the space between said part and supporting means being substantially unobstructed except for said arms.

[0009] Herskovitz, U.S. Pat. No. 919,430 describes an inverted incandescent gas-lamp, an angle-shaped Bunsen tube, and a burner tube telescopically connected to the Bunsen-tube and having a depending tip portion provided with an inverted mantle whereby the latter is out of line with the air-intake, the telescopic connection of the tubes enabling the passage to the mantle to be lengthened or shortened for controlling the pressure of gas and for varying the distance of the mantle from the air-intake.

[0010] Rosengren, U.S. Pat. No. 924,689 describes a burner, the combination of a burner-tube having an internal groove at its upper edge, screen having its outer edge resting in said groove and removably held therein, a support within the tube having a plurality of feet, said screen being secured to the upper end of said support so it will be removably therewith, a ring within the tube on which the feet rest to removably hold the support in the tube, the support having a socket therein and a mantle post held in said socket.

[0011] Reese, U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,045 describes a selectively operable lighting system including a lamp for providing a flame of gas particularly suited for use in illuminating outdoor areas, such as patios, terraces and the like. The system is characterized by a tubular pillar supported by a rigid pedestal embedded beneath the surface of an area being illuminated, and surmounted by a burner connected with a source of gas encased within a protective and ornamental head. A selectively operable, electrically energizable igniter capable of responding to an absence of an illuminating flame is provided for igniting combustible gas delivered to the burner, whereby a substantially continuous illuminating flame selectively is provided.

[0012] Dillinger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,606 describes an outdoor-type gas lamp with a photovoltaic solar cell means, a rechargeable battery connected to the solar cell means, a normally-opened electromagnetic gas valve means, and an igniter means connected to both the photovoltaic solar cell means and the rechargeable battery means, with the photovoltaic solar cell means generating a bins voltage that closes the flow of illuminating gas through the gas valve means and blocks the flow of energy from the battery means to the igniter means when energized by daylight.

[0013] Walters, U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,191 describes a self-contained gas light control module including a tubular housing with a main tubular gas line extending through the housing and a normally open electro-mechanical valve in the gas line to permit flow of gas therethrough at night. During day light hours, a solar cell is activated to close the normally open electro-mechanical valve and shut-off the main tubular gas line; however, a smaller by-pass gas passageway or line is connected around the electro-mechanical valve to permit a smaller amount of continuous gas flow around the electro-mechanical valve, when closed, for low pilot flame burning of the gas light during day light hours.

[0014] Deidrich, U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,044 describes a mechanically durable, highly luminous mantle for a gas-powered light source.

[0015] Koziol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,142 describes a dimmer device for a gas light, which is solar activated, and is composed of a minimum number of parts. A magnetically operated valve with a magnetically attractable ball is energized during daylight hours to close off one passageway yet allows gas to flow through a second passageway at a lower flow rate to provide a dimmer condition for the lamp. At night time, the magnetic valve is deactivated causing the magnetically attractable ball to open the otherwise closed passageway and thereby allow full gas flow to the lamp. The dimmer device is easily installed into the lamp housing rather than the post.

[0016] Dillinger, U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,232 describes an outdoor lamp having a solenoid valve, which controls the feed of gas and mixed with air to an electrically conducting venturi table and thence to burner tips, which are surrounded by mantles. An electrode disposed adjacent to a slit in the venturi tube creates a spark adjacent to the slit when the valve is electrically opened to light the gas mixture which subsequently lights the gas mixture at the tips. An electrical circuit has a photocell array, which causes the electrical circuit to open the valve at dawn with a shot of electricity, and closes the valve at night with another shot of electricity. A sensor in the circuit detects when the lamp is lighted and discontinues the spark.

[0017] Iasella, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,549 describes a turn down device for regulating gas flow within a gas lamp that is of the general type having a lamppost and a mantel. The device has a conduit configured to allow gas to flow therethrough and a gas supply line connected to the conduit for supplying gas under pressure. A poppet valve having a valve seat and a magnetic poppet is provided along the conduit downstream of where the supply line connects to the conduit. A solar cell is connected to the electromagnet that generates and provides to the electromagnet a voltage, which varies depending upon sunlight at the solar cell. The popper is fabricated so as to have a selected size, shape and mass such that the gas flow from the supply line lifts the poppet away from the valve seat absent attractive forces induced at an electromagnet provided proximate the valve. As varying amounts of sunlight are directed upon the solar cell, electricity travels to the windings of the electromagnet that induces an attractive electromagnetic force upon the valve. The electromagnetic force biases the valve a respective amount towards a closed position, thereby reducing gas flow through the valve. The device further includes a bypass supply line for providing a pilot flow of gas from the gas supply line to the conduit. A bypass valve is provided on the bypass supply line for adjusting the flow of gas through the bypass supply line so that a pilot flow of gas is maintained to the mantel when the valve is in the fully closed position.

[0018] Sasaki, U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,978 describes a gas burning power supply section for igniting gas including a secondary battery and a solar battery for charging the secondary battery, and the operating voltage from the power supply section is supplied to a gas ignition circuit, a flame detection circuit for detecting the flame after the gas is ignited, and a solenoid valve-controlling timer circuit for controlling the gas supply. A day/night discrimination circuit is provided in association with the power supply section, and the ignition circuit, the flame detection circuit and the timer circuit are individually set in operation in accordance with a day/night discrimination output during the nighttime. In the event the flame of burning gas goes out halfway, the timer circuit operates to perform a trial including reigniting operation, and if the reigniting fails during a trial period, the gas supply is automatically shut off.

[0019] Collins, U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,238 describes a gas light assembly having an electronic control system that monitors the surrounding ambient light conditions to detect the transition from a light to a dark state is disclosed. Upon detection of the transition of the ambient light to a dark state, the electronic control system opens a gas flow control valve to allow the flow of gas from a gas supply line through a mixing chamber wherein the gas is mixed with air to form a combustible gas mixture that passes through a venturi tube and a burner head assembly, exiting the burner head assembly at mantels. A spark is generated to ignite the combustible gas mixture passing out of the mantels, and a sensor detects and verifies the ignition of the combustible gas mixture at the mantels so as to verify to the system that the lamp of the gas light assembly is lit during dark conditions and is unlit and the flow of gas shut off during light conditions.

[0020] Yokoyama, EP 0905438 describes a globe supporting structure that supports a globe of a gas lantern which burns combustible gas discharged from a gas cartridge containing the combustible gas by means of a burner head located inside the globe, characterized by a ventilator positioned above the globe, a plurality of wires rotatably arranged on the ventilator, each of which rotates about the ventilator, and is shaped so as to be capable of reaching a bottom surface of the globe, and a globe supporting plate that supports the globe, and is provided with first means which is detachably engagable with a portion of the wires reaching the bottom surface of the globe. In accordance with the globe supporting structure, the globe can be removed easily from the globe supporting plate without breaking the globe.

[0021] The prior art teaches the use of flames for illumination, cooking, industrial heating and also for flame display, but does not teach an open flame pyro-display for spectacle in which the display is attractive and yet safely controlled through low-cost automation. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0023] A fire display apparatus comprises a structural base plate preferably made of structural steel, and supported in a horizontal attitude within a clay, or other fire resistant bowl. The base plate supports an annular burner tube on a outer, upwardly facing surface, the burner tube providing outwardly directed plural burner apertures adapted for directing flames in a peripheral, horizontal, outward direction. The base plate also supports a burner fence positioned in spaced-apart relationship with the burner apertures and adapted for directing the flames in an upward direction away from the outer face of the base plate. A rim fence ring is positioned outward of the burner fence and is adapted for reflecting heat inwardly. Burner gas is supplied to the space between the bowl interior and the underside of the base plate. Here, gas valves and a flame sensor provide automated flame monitoring and control.

[0024] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0025] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of automatic safety monitoring and controlling of an open flame pyro-display.

[0026] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of inherently safe operation.

[0027] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of low cost construction.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof as assembled and ready for operation; and

[0032]FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof showing the bottom of a base plate of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0034] The present invention is a fire display apparatus comprising a base plate 10, of structural steel supported in a horizontal attitude within a bowl 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The base plate 10 is preferably disk shaped, but may also be square or rectangular, oval, etc. The base plate 10 supports an annular burner tube 30, which, as shown in FIG. 1, may be square or round, etc., on a outer face 12 of the base plate 10. The burner tube 30 is preferably mounted on insulators 31 to prevent heat conduction to the base plate 10. The burner tube 30 provides plural outwardly directed burner apertures 32 adapted for directing flames in a peripheral, horizontal, outward direction. These apertures 32 may be holes or slots as shown. A burner fence 40 is positioned in a spaced-apart relationship with the burner apertures 32 and is positioned and adapted for directing the flames in an upward direction away from the outer face 12 of the base plate 10. The burner fence 40, as shown in FIG. 1, takes the general shape of the burner aperture array. The burner fence 40 keeps the wind from blowing the flame out and provides stability to the pilot flame. A rim fence ring 50 is positioned outward of the burner fence 40 and is adapted for reflecting heat inwardly. This is critical to maintenance of the bowl 20 at a low temperature to prevent thermal gradient cracking. The rim fence ring 50 surrounds the entire burner tube 30. The various parts of the burner and the fences are made of structural steel of an alloy that maintains its strength and shape when temperature cycled.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the base plate 10 provides plural peripheral drain cutouts 14 and the bowl 20 provides at least one drain hole 22. These are very important when water displays are near the invention, or when the invention is placed in the open so that water cannot collect in the bowl and on the base plate 10. The cutouts 14 also are important when a gas leak within the bowl below the base plate 10 occurs, because gas then is able to move upward to be vented. The base plate 10 further provides and supports, a subplate 60, as shown in FIG. 3, mounted in spaced apart relationship onto an inner face 16 of the base plate 10. This spacing is filled with insulation material allowing the subplate 60 to operate at a lower temperature than the base plate 10 and to therefore successfully carry several temperature sensitive devices mounted on it. This will become clear in the further description below.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a gas supply manifold 70 is mounted on the subplate 60 and is adapted for gas delivery to a flame ignitor pilot 80 through a pilot gas flow adjusting valve 90, and to the annular burner tube 30 through a burner gas flow adjusting valve 110. It is noticed that gas enters the invention through the drain hole in the bowl via supply line 100. A flame safety module 120 controls a solenoid valve 122 adapted for controlling gas flow to the burner gas flow adjusting valve 110. A flame monitor sensor (part of flame ignitor pilot 80, is adapted for shutting the solenoid valve 122 when a flame signal is lost. A central reflector plate 130 with flange 132 is placed medially so that the burner tube 30 surrounds it. It acts like a heat shield to keep heat from reflecting to the base plate 10. Also, should a greater flame volume be desired burner apertures may be also placed facing inwardly (see FIG. 1) element 32′ for an example. The central plate 130 may also provide flame deflection much like the burner fence 40 to reflect the inwardly directed flames upwardly.

[0037] Operation of the invention includes: opening gas flow to the invention through line 100, lighting the pilot through the flame safety monitor sensor, sensing a pilot flame at the electrode spark ignitor, energizing the solenoid valve to allow gas to main burner. Pilot flame size is adjusted by pilot gas flow adjusting valve 90. Burner flame size is controlled the burner gas flow adjusting valve 110. If the main flame is lost, as by blowout or drown-out, the sensor signal is lost and the solenoid valve 122 closes down gas flow to the burner. When the pilot is relit, the sensor detects the flame and the main burner is once again operated.

[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire display apparatus comprising: a base plate supported in a horizontal attitude within a bowl, the base plate supporting: (i) an annular burner tube on a outer face of the base plate, the burner tube providing outwardly directed plural burner apertures adapted for directing flames in a peripheral, horizontal, outward direction; (ii) a burner fence positioned in spaced-apart relationship with the burner apertures and adapted for directing the flames in an upward direction away from the outer face of the base plate; and (iii) a rim fence ring positioned outward of the burner fence and adapted for reflecting heat inwardly.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base plate provides plural peripheral drain and vent cutouts and the bowl provides at least one drain hole.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base plate provides a subplate mounted in spaced apart relationship onto an inner face of the base plate.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gas supply manifold mounted on the subplate and adapted for gas delivery to a flame ignitor pilot through a pilot gas flow adjusting valve, and to the annular burner tube through a burner gas flow adjusting valve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a flame safety module engaged for control with a solenoid valve adapted for opening a gas supply line to the burner gas flow adjusting valve.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a flame monitor sensor adapted for shutting the solenoid valve when a flame signal is lost.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reflector plate mounted medially relative to the annular burner tube. 